BETT thursday was busy but, as I sit writing this, Friday looks like it is going to be packed.As anybody who has worked BETT will confess though, the working day is great, but the after-doors-have-closed events are an event in their own rights. Steljes, 2Simple and GigaJam may be some of the most innovative companies in the world of education technology but they also know how to entertain in style.

On more serious matters, I promised I would mention some of the things that have caught my eye so far. Shakespeare Works may be a small company but their stand alone was a gem, all decked out in theatrical spangle. I was impressed by their polished films, but also by the way they link their CD-Roms with, what looks like, inspiring training days.

Shoo-fly continue to surprise, this time with whiteboard pop-up books! A unique visual effect that deserves a lot more attention.

I did a particularly dramatic fall somewhere between both stands but was wearing my T-shirt with “I do all my own stunts!” so got away with a laugh from the stands around. My best finds of the fall were Spiny Software and Crazy talk4. (Both soft landings!) Crazy Talk 4 is the most effective and simple way of creating animated avatars and faces. Has so much potential with children of all abilities. I hope that they make contact with Pete Wells, the Johnny Vegas of education, who already uses this program with his usual wit and flair.

No links for these few days as I am writing online.

Onwards!

Man marries computer

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There is a great buzz abound this year in Olympia. BETT may be the world’s biggest technology in Education show, but I didn’t realise just how much of the world knew that too! It has been so motivating to meet people from all across the globe this week. Sweden, Denmark, and Holland, in particular,seem to have emptied and headed for the show!

When you see so many innovative uses of technology it confirms to me that it really is a glorious time to be alive. The Futurelab speech from Annika Small reiterated that point. The move from a black and white (text based) world to one of colour (the proliferation of uploaded films and online communities) Exciting times that BETT is showcasing.

I think that, nowadays, everyone has the potential to be a Pepys. The difference is that, when Pepys wrote his now famous diary entries, he was not expecting anyone else to read it! I have been surprised at the amount of emails I have received in response to the new blog and the “new-look” website. Thankyou.

Wednesday’s presentation gave me the opportunity to chat to Professor Don Passey, from Lancaster University. An encouraging and perceptive man who seemed genuinely excited by the new direction that the gaming project is taking. I am still not at liberty to divulge too much information but continue to urge you to “Watch this space” over the next few days and weeks.

More tomorrow on what has caught my eye so far.

Mr Hutt, that fine fellow from RM is taking the brave step to go independent. (visit his site at http://eduhutt.wordpress.com/ )

His farewell “Do” was held at a very interesting restaurant complete with entertainment. For more info send money in a brown envelope marked “Blackmail”

 I always look forward to BETT and this year is no exception. BETT is the world’s biggest “IT in Education” event. It takes over the whole of Olympia, and not many other trade events do that! Each year brings a batch of new ideas and launches of innovative products and projects. For me, this year has an extra nugget of excitement because Joe and I (SoIntoIT) are also going to reveal a new direction in our adventures with Myst.

You heard it here first! (Well you will do when we are at liberty to tell.)

I am going to be presenting three “Invitation Only” sessions at the Dfes (Department for Education and Skills) Meeting space (Stand H49) If any body would like to attend these, though, please let me know and I will see if I can sneek you in. (”We’re with the band!”) These sessions are at 13.15 on Wednesday, and 13.30 on Thursday and Friday.

I am also going to be doing a 3/4 of an hour seminar on Saturday 13th, at 11.45 in Seminar Theatre B. I will be revisiting some of the old territory of simple ideas for visual literacy, the use of the Myst games, and other ideas. But, the element I am really looking forward to is the opportunity to present these NEW ideas, on-line with Joe (”Mr Moretti to you!”) Joe will have been on the Apple stand all week so look out for him there and see if you can get him to to tell you what we’re up to!

I can’t wait…

I think that today’s link should be a way of finding out new exciting, innovative, world-first info… so, try typing… Myst, online, Tim Rylands, Joe Moretti or diligent aardvaarks for that matter into: http://www.sidekiq.com/ a clever way of searching through all the channels you can think of, in one place!